"To avert a deepening crisis in special educational needs provision, a cross-party parliamentary group urges the government to significantly increase and safeguard school funding, ensuring it is inflation-proofed and directly aligned with the escalating needs of children across England."
The critical state of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in England has reached a pivotal moment, with a prominent cross-party group of Members of Parliament advocating for a substantial increase in school funding. This call comes amidst growing demand for support and ahead of anticipated major governmental reforms to the SEND system. The group, primarily comprising Labour MPs, has pressed the government to ensure funding is not only augmented but also protected against inflation, aligning budgetary allocations directly with the rising needs of children requiring special educational support. This collective appeal underscores the immense financial and systemic pressures currently straining England’s SEND framework, which many stakeholders now describe as being in crisis.
The current landscape of special educational needs in England is marked by an unprecedented surge in demand for support, placing immense strain on local authorities and school budgets. Over 1.7 million children in England are identified as having special educational needs, a figure that has escalated considerably in recent years, reflecting both increased identification and growing complexity of needs. Local authorities, legally mandated to meet the needs of eligible pupils, find themselves in an increasingly precarious financial position, struggling to absorb the mounting costs associated with providing bespoke support. Public spending on children with high needs has seen a dramatic increase, soaring from £7.5 billion in 2016 to an estimated £12 billion by 2025 – a real-terms rise of 66%. Despite this significant investment, the system remains under intense pressure, indicating that current funding models and delivery mechanisms are struggling to keep pace with demand and inflation.
The Department for Education (DfE) acknowledges the need for reform and has stated its commitment to improving outcomes for children with special educational needs, citing an increase in school funding of £1.7 billion for the 2026-27 period. However, this figure appears modest when juxtaposed with the forecasted £6 billion pressure expected to arise from the government’s decision to assume responsibility for SEND costs currently borne by councils from 2028. This looming financial commitment presents a significant fiscal challenge. Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlights the stark choices facing the government: either substantially increase overall education funding, implement reforms designed to decelerate the growth of SEND spending, or resort to cuts elsewhere within the education budget. Each option carries profound implications, with the latter two risking considerable backlash from parents, educators, and advocacy groups who fear any reforms might inadvertently curtail vital support services.
The political sensitivity surrounding SEND reforms is palpable. There is a tangible risk of widespread public discontent should any proposed changes be perceived as an attempt to limit support rather than enhance it. Neil Duncan-Jordan, a Labour MP for Poole, who previously rebelled against government welfare reforms, articulated this concern, stressing that any alterations to SEND provision must be fundamentally "driven by making the system better, not by saving money." He emphasized the critical need for "buy-in from parents" for any reforms to succeed, warning against the creation of "an army of parents who are against them because they think they’re making their lives worse." This sentiment underscores the delicate balance the government must strike between fiscal prudence and its duty to provide comprehensive, effective support for vulnerable children.
The highly anticipated government policy paper outlining proposed changes to SEND provision, initially delayed, is now expected in February. This document is the culmination of extensive consultation, including a DfE survey launched last year and detailed proposals submitted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on SEND, which have been reviewed by the BBC. The APPG’s submission presents a robust framework for reform, emphasizing the foundational importance of adequate and stable funding.
Central to the APPG’s recommendations is the urgent need to restore and protect core funding for schools and special places, asserting that "Inflation has eroded the real value of core funding… restoring it and protecting early help budgets will underpin timely support." This highlights a critical flaw in the current system: even with increased nominal spending, the real value of resources is diminishing, impacting the quality and accessibility of services. Furthermore, the APPG insists that national SEND policy must "align expectations and funding with the level of need settings are now asked to meet," advocating for a more realistic and responsive funding model. Beyond direct financial allocations, the group also champions greater investment in early years provision, recognizing its preventative potential in addressing needs before they escalate, and calls for a comprehensive national SEND workforce plan to ensure a skilled and sufficient professional base.
Ministers, keenly aware of the sensitivities and the need for cross-party consensus, have reportedly been in a "listening mode." They have engaged in a series of meetings with Labour MPs from the APPG, seeking input and aiming to build support for the upcoming reforms, particularly given the likelihood of parliamentary votes. A significant point of contention and concern among stakeholders is the fate of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). These legal documents are crucial, guaranteeing bespoke support for pupils assessed with high needs, and there have been strong calls from MPs and parents alike for ministers not to scrap them.
Labour MP Jen Craft, a vice-chair of the APPG and mother to a disabled daughter with an EHCP, has been a vocal advocate for systemic improvements. Following her recent meeting with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to discuss SEND issues, Craft articulated her belief that strategic investment in early intervention and fostering more inclusive mainstream schools could ultimately reduce the reliance on high-needs support and generate long-term savings. She criticized the current system, stating, "The system is not necessarily focused on the needs of the children it is supposed to be there to help. There’s an enormous amount of money in the system but it’s not being spent well." Craft has proactively engaged with her Thurrock constituents, organizing events to gather perspectives from pupils, parents, and teachers on SEND provision. Her report underscored the necessity for the government to scrutinize its SEND funding plans, specifically addressing discrepancies between local authorities, exploring the potential for ringfenced budgets, and prioritizing investment in early years to prevent needs from escalating.
Across the political spectrum in Westminster, there is a general consensus that England’s SEND system is in dire need of reform. While the Conservatives and the Green Party have yet to articulate clear, detailed policies on the matter, other parties have begun to stake out their positions. The Liberal Democrats have outlined five foundational principles for the impending reforms, prominently featuring the establishment of a "fair funding system" that actively incentivizes schools to embrace and adequately support SEND pupils. Reform UK, on the other hand, is currently developing its SEND policy, with leader Richard Tice asserting that "SEND needs reform not more money," arguing that billions in recent years have not translated into improved outcomes. This diverse range of perspectives highlights the complexity of finding a universally accepted and effective solution.
In response to the mounting pressure and calls for reform, a DfE spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment, detailing current investments including £200 million dedicated to providing SEND training for all teachers, and at least £3 billion allocated for the creation of 50,000 new specialist places. The spokesperson affirmed that the SEND reforms "will be driven by our mission to improve outcomes for all children," emphasizing the department’s efforts to lay "the groundwork for an inclusive education system where children are supported at the earliest stage and can thrive in a school that meets their needs, close to home."
The unfolding narrative of SEND reform is more than a budgetary discussion; it is a critical debate about social equity, the future of education, and the well-being of a significant proportion of England’s children. The challenge lies not only in securing adequate funding but also in reforming a complex system to ensure that every pound spent translates into tangible, positive outcomes for children and their families. The success of the upcoming reforms will hinge on the government’s ability to forge a genuine consensus, address the deep-seated concerns of parents and educators, and implement changes that are both fiscally responsible and fundamentally child-centered. Without a truly sustainable and needs-aligned funding model, coupled with strategic investment in early intervention and a skilled workforce, the crisis in special educational needs provision risks deepening, with profound long-term consequences for individuals and society alike.